Federal road safety grant program extended with $5B and new planning rules

What does this do?

HR 5452 amends the existing Safe Streets and Roads for All federal grant program, which was established in 2021 to help reduce traffic deaths and serious injuries. The bill sets aside at least 20 percent of program funds for planning grants and adds $5 billion in new funding to extend the program from 2027 through 2031.

Who does it affect?

Local and regional governments, metropolitan planning organizations, and tribal nations are the eligible applicants for these grants. Everyday residents in communities with high rates of pedestrian or cyclist injuries are the people most likely to see on-the-ground effects.

Why does it matter?

The planning grant requirement is intended to ensure that smaller or less-resourced communities can access funds to develop safety action plans even before they are ready for construction projects. Extending funding through 2031 continues a program that would otherwise expire under its current authorization.

What does it cost, and who pays?

• $5B in new federal funding
• Covers program years 2027–2031
• 20% reserved for planning grants